Gujarat HC Slaps ₹1 Lakh Personal Cost on Ahmedabad Collector for Defying Court Order

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has ordered the Ahmedabad collector to pay ₹1 lakh in litigation costs from his personal salary for repeatedly rejecting a woman’s non-agricultural (NA) land use application on grounds already quashed by the court.

Allowing a petition filed by Bhumika Rao, Justice M K Thakker held that the collector’s actions amounted to a “flagrant violation” of judicial directions, undermining the authority and dignity of the judiciary. The court stressed that government officials are bound to comply with judicial orders within prescribed timelines or seek appropriate legal remedies if implementation poses difficulties.

The dispute stems from Rao’s application under Section 65 of the Gujarat Land Revenue Code, 1879, seeking permission to convert agricultural land for non-agricultural use. The collector had rejected her application in February 2025, citing land transaction history, tenancy law provisions and questions over her farmer status.

On March 2, 2025, the High Court quashed the rejection and directed the collector to reconsider a fresh application within the statutory timeframe. The court had clarified that proceedings under Section 65 were limited to examining the applicant’s occupancy and the land’s agricultural status, and did not permit scrutiny of ownership titles or past transactions.

Despite submitting a fresh application in April, Rao faced another rejection on August 6, with the collector again relying on adverse departmental opinions and citing a proposed appeal against the High Court’s earlier order. The State subsequently acknowledged that no Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) had been filed.

Rejecting the collector’s explanation, the High Court observed that a subsequent Revenue Department circular could not justify non-compliance with its earlier directions. It quashed the August 6 order, restored Rao’s application and directed the collector to decide it in accordance with the March 2025 judgment within the statutory period.

The court imposed ₹1 lakh in litigation costs, payable by the collector from his own salary within one month. In case of non-payment, the State will deposit the amount and recover it from his salary. The amount will be transferred electronically to the petitioner after verification. DeshGujarat